Description
A straightforward dish yielding tender chicken baked in a rich balsamic sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Make the balsamic sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, basil, oregano, and minced garlic.
- Sear chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- Assemble in baking dish: Place chicken in the prepared dish. Pour balsamic mixture over chicken and scatter halved cherry tomatoes around it.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until chicken is almost cooked through.
- Add cheese: Remove dish from oven, sprinkle mozzarella over each breast, and return to oven. Bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
Using fresh herbs can enhance the aroma, but dried herbs work well too.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 75mg